The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported another death involving a faulty Takata airbag. This is the fourth death this year, bringing the number of confirmed bodies to 23.
According to NHTSA, the person’s death was caused by a Takata driver’s side airbag inflator that ruptured during the crash. The vehicle involved is a 2002 Honda Accord.
“Whatever you are doing, stop now and check to see if your vehicle has Takata airbag recall. If so, make an appointment to get your free repair as soon as possible,” said Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson. “Should these airbags rupture in an accident, it could kill you or someone you love, or leave them with critical, life-altering injuries. Every day that goes by that you don’t replace the deployed airbag puts you and your family in a greater position .risk of injury or death.”
NHTSA cannot stress enough to vehicle owners to check if their car has an open Takata airbag recall. The owner can do it through NHTSA memory search tool or via the agency’s SaferCar mobile app. The vehicles involved must contact their dealer to have their airbags replaced free of charge. NHTSA also has contact information list for each manufacturer if your vehicle is part of a recall.
The agency also encourages owners to take recalls seriously and actively check to see if their vehicle is involved in a recall, Takata-related or otherwise. Owners can register for NHTSA alerts through the agency’s website.
First spotted in 2013, Takata’s recall of airbags involves tens of millions of vehicles globally, in one of the biggest scandals to rock the auto industry. This includes vehicles from various manufacturers. The reason is that a damaged airbag inflator, through long-term exposure to high heat and humidity, can cause the airbag to explode when deployed. Needless to say, explosions are dangerous and cause injuries and in many cases, death.
